MLB Rumors

Pirates second baseman Neil Walker went hitless for the fourth time in his last five games Thursday against the Cubs, making him 1 for 16 over his last five games. Walker, however, walked four times in 12 plate appearances against the Cubs over the three-game series.

Walker has watched his line slip to .228/.338/.298 during the slump. He'll try to turn things around when the Pirates face the Brewers this weekend.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who is on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion, felt "a lot better" Thursday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

"No headaches or anything," Plouffe told the Pioneer Press. "I pretty much feel normal. As far as any timelines, it's still one step at a time."

Plouffe was scheduled to undergo a full-impact test Thursday to determine whether his injury was a concussion.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is hitless in his last four games after going 0 for 4 in a 4-2 loss to the Pirates Thursday. Rizzo has made 17 plate appearances during his four-game skid and hasn't reached base safely once.

Rizzo's line has fallen to .256/.320/.489 with the slump, but he does have 10 home runs on the year. He'll try to stop his skid this weekend against the Reds.

Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino, who was not in the lineup Thursday due to a hamstring injury, ran sprints and completed other workouts prior to the game, according to The Boston Globe.

"As we continue to ramp up the physical work and the physical activity, the information that we get back and how he responds to that is certainly helpful as far as our decision-making going forward,'' manager John Farrell said.

Victorino has missed the last three games since leaving Monday's 6-4 loss to the White Sox with a tight left hamstring. He is hitting .283 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 127 at-bats.

With Mark Teixeira set to return from the disabled list in the coming weeks, Yankees first baseman Lyle Overbay hopes to make a case for more playing time once Teixeira returns.

"I'm not too worried. I would like to see if I can coexist here," Overbay told MLB.com Thursday. "I like it. This is fun. I was on the other side, and you don't get to experience this. I'm very surprised; it was a good surprise, but I'm very surprised at how good these guys are in the clubhouse and as far as being teammates and stuff."

Overbay has a .250/.286/.467 slash line with seven home runs and 25 RBI. Of his 38 hits this season, 18 have been for extra bases. Overbay, who homered Monday, has been held with out a hit in his last nine at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Starling Marte stole his first base in 16 games Thursday as part of a multi-hit effort against the Cubs.

Marte reached on an infield single in the first inning and promptly stole second, his 11th steal of the season. He came around to score on a single by Andrew McCutchen, the first of two runs he would score in the first two innings.

He finished 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base, as the Pirates won, 4-2. He is hitting .310 on the season.   

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday that starting pitcher Jered Weaver will return to the rotation next week if his bullpen session this weekend goes well, the Orange County Register reports.

Weaver struck out nine while allowing one run in a start during extended spring training Wednesday. He's made just two starts for the Angels this season, allowing six earned runs in 11 innings.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen put together his fifth multi-hit game in the last six Thursday against the Cubs as he continues to pound the ball.

McCutchen went 3 for 4 with two runs driven in and one run scored, in a 4-2 win. All three of his hits were singles, but he added a pair of stolen bases, giving him 12 on the season on 13 attempts.

McCutchen has batting .462 over the last six days, raising his batting average from .260 to .291. 

Pirates closer Jason Grilli was back on the mound Thursday against the Cubs after getting a day off Wednesday. He set the Cubs down in order for his 19th save of the season.

Grilli induced a fly ball out on the first batter he faced, and then set down the next two on strikes to preserve a 4-2 win. Grilli needed just 14 pitches to end his outing and lower his ERA to 1.25.

Grilli has a league-leading 19 saves in 19 appearances, to go along with his sterling ERA. He has struck out 34 batters and walked just five in 21 2/3 innings. 

Orioles catcher Taylor Teagarden (thumb) will begin live batting practice and hitting off coaches at the team's spring training facility Thursday in Sarasota, Fla. Barring any setbacks, Teagarden could begin playing in an extended spring-training game as early as Monday.